UPDATE: JUNE, 18, 2013: NATURA Pet Products is voluntarily recalling some of their dry pet food products. The recall includes the brands: EVO, California Natural, Karma, Mother Nature, Innova and Healthwise, and includes all of their dry pet food and biscuit/bar/treat products with expiration dates prior to June 10th, 2014. For more information, we would advise contacting Natura at http://www.naturapet.com/about/contact-us or (800) 224-6123.
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The March 11 recall by Diamond Pet Foods is one of over a dozen pet food recalls since the beginning of 2013. Food recalls can be a scary ordeal, especially if a contagious disease involved. Fortunately, the reason for this recall wasn’t as serious as Salmonella. The company is offering refunds for certain bags of its “Premium Edge” adult cat food and “Diamond Naturals” kitten food because they may not contain enough of a certain vitamin.
“Tests conducted by the company indicated the products might have a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1),” according to a FDA statement. “There have been no complaints regarding thiamine levels, or any other health issues, related to these products. In association with this voluntary recall, Diamond Pet Foods has tested all other Diamond brands for thiamine deficiency to ensure the safety of the cat food it manufactures.”
While the possibility of a thiamine deficiency is underwhelming compared to an outbreak of infection of poisoning, it’s still a good reason to pull affected food from store shelves. Many cats only eat dry commercial chow, so the food needs to include all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients the feline body needs to survive. In fact, thiamine deficiency can be very bad for your furry friend.
“Symptoms of thiamine deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature,” according to a statement by BluePearl Veterinary Partners. “Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss.”
Reacting to pet food recalls
There are a lot of cats and dogs in North America alone, so recalls are pretty much inevitable considering the amount of commercial food consumed by pets each year. If you buy commercial food for your pets, you can keep your eye out for recalls on the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) website. If you see your pet’s food brand listed, check your bag’s product code with those listed in the advisory.
If your pet’s food is listed, you should return it to the store or dispose of it in a sealed container where animals can’t reach it, according to HSUS. Check the manufacturer’s website for more information about the recall and instructions for receiving a refund for the product.
In the case of Diamond Pet Foods recent recall, customers have three options for receiving compensation, according to the company’s website. They may receive credit at the store they bought the food at by returning the bag or submit a “Refund Request form” by mail to obtain their choice of check or coupon. Receipts are required to submit a refund request.
If your pet has eaten food recalled for any reason, keep your eye on him for the next few days or weeks. Don’t hesitate to take him to the vet if he has trouble eating, acts lethargic or shows other signs of illness.
“If you have fed your cat with the affected product and notice your cat is not acting right, take him or her to your family veterinarian as soon as possible,” Dr. Amanda German, a senior clinician with BluePearl in Virginia, said in the statement. “Of course, if it is an after-hours emergency, we would be glad to help at any one of our locations.”
